Ashurst has advised  WestConnex Delivery Authority (WDA) on the awarding of a landmark concession contract for the widening of the M4 Motorway in Sydney, in the first stage of the A$14.9 billion WestConnex motorway.

In the first contract announced for the project, the Rizzani De Eccher Leighton joint venture will be responsible for upgrading and widening 7.5 km of the M4 motorway in Sydney as part of the first stage of WestConnex. Ashurst is advising on the project deed and associated concession documents.

The widening project will see the motorway between Parramatta and Homebush enlarged from three to four lanes each way and connect with the future M4 East tunnel, which is also to be constructed as part of WestConnex Stage 1. Major work on the widening is scheduled to start in early 2015 and is due to open to traffic in 2017.

Ashurst lead partner on the matter, Angus Foley, said the firm congratulated WDA on this landmark project.

"It is a deal that is important in the whole scheme of the WestConnex projects. The transaction involved significant complexity and we were pleased to have assisted in achieving close within the timeframe set by the NSW Government and the Federal Government."

WestConnex, one of the largest transport projects currently underway in Australia, will see a 33km corridor constructed which will link Sydney's west and  south west with the city, airport and port precincts when completed.

The Ashurst team, led by Angus, included special counsel Simon Walsh; lawyers Meredith Riley, Alessandra Yen, Meadhbh Cacciaguidi-Fahy, Tristan Aguirre and Rhiannon Thomas; with graduates Geordie Bundock-Livingston and Rachel Baker.